Michael Woud has revealed how impressed he has been by the nine new players who have joined Sunderland under-18s’ squad ahead of the 2016-17 U18 Premier League.
The new-look youth team included eight fresh faces in their starting line-up on Saturday as they eased to a comfortable victory over Gateshead College at the Academy of Light.
Benjamin Mbunga-Kimpioka converted an intelligent free-kick in the 27th minute to get the Lads on their way before Lee Connelly’s perfectly-weighted lob doubled Sunderland’s advantage in the second period.
The young Black Cats then scored two goals in five minutes as Jake Hackett found the net from range and then turned provider as Connelly bagged his second.
Speaking to safc.com Woud believes the new faces have settled in well and victory in their opening pre-season friendly has only benefited that settling in process.
“We gained a lot of fitness and it was good to get back out there,” he said. “We put in a good performance and there were lots of pleasing things we can take forward into the next game.
“It’s good to see the new players have settled in so well because some of them are from overseas. They performed well and that will hopefully give them a lot of confidence as they continue to get used to the new surroundings.”
He continued: “They have shown already what they can bring to the team so hopefully they can continue to do that and we can have a good season.”